As the rains fall, environmental conditions become favorable for leaf diseases of soybean. Currently, there are a couple of foliar diseases of soybean that can be observed in fields in Kentucky, which are Septoria brown spot and Phyllosticta leaf spot.…
Monthly Archives: June 2020
Watch for Blister Beetles in Hay
Several species of blister beetles are common in Kentucky; they can be a problem to livestock when they infest alfalfa hay. As few as 5 to 10 of these beetles can be fatal to horses when ingested because of the…
Posted in Forages
Cleaning and Disinfecting Home Garden Tools and Equipment (PPFS-GEN-17)
Dirty tools, containers, and work surfaces come as no surprise to home gardeners. Rinsing with water to remove obvious soil or plant residues is a common practice. However, this type of basic cleaning can fail to remove microscopic plant pathogens…
Posted in Featured Pubs & Videos
Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab Highlights
The following plant disease highlights have been compiled from samples submitted to the University of Kentucky Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratories from June 1 to June 30, 2020. Diagnostic samples of agronomic crops have included Rhizoctonia damping off, Lepto leaf spot,…
Posted in Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab
2020 Insect Trap Counts
Trap counts for major insect pests are provided by the Kentucky IPM Program. Traps are located at the UK Research and Education Center in western Kentucky and the UK Spindletop Farm in Lexington. Below are trap counts for the current…
Posted in Insect Trap Counts
Vegetable Diseases to Scout for: Anthracnose of Cucurbits
With cucurbit crop canopies beginning to close within planting beds, cucumber, cantaloupe, and watermelon growers in Kentucky should be scouting for anthracnose in their plantings. Prevention, early identification, and management will help reduce plant losses. Cause & Disease Development Anthracnose…
Posted in Vegetables
Damage by Corn Flea Beetles in Seedling
Problem An absence of rains for almost 2 weeks in western Kentucky allowed the increase in populations of some secondary pests in field corn. One of these insects is the corn flea beetle. Commercial and experimental corn fields have been…
Posted in Grains
As Rains Stopped, Thrips Started to Move into Late-Planted Corn
Problem During the second week of June 2020, I noticed some soybean fields with thrips feeding.Soybeans usually are not heavily impacted by thrips and plants recover. Later that week, the Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Kentucky’s Research…
Posted in Grains
Gnats in My Garden!
Individually, midges and gnats would hardly be noticed in the garden, but when they form large clouds or swarms, that attracts attention. As many of these species look like mosquitoes, this also increases concerns of gardeners. Midges and gnats are…
Posted in Human Pests
Considerations for Diagnosis of Ornamentals in the Landscape (PPFS-GEN-15)
Diagnosing landscape plant problems can be challenging. However, an assessment of the entire growing site may aid in the diagnostic process. This publication was designed to provide a starting point for determining possible causes behind various plant problems. The step-by-step…
Posted in Featured Pubs & Videos
2020 Insect Trap Counts
Trap counts for major insect pests are provided by the Kentucky IPM Program. Traps are located at the UK Research and Education Center in western Kentucky and the UK Spindletop Farm in Lexington. Below are trap counts for the current…
Posted in Insect Trap Counts
Vegetable Diseases to Scout for: Botrytis Gray Mold
As we transition from crop establishment to production, vegetable growers should be scouting for Botrytis gray mold in their plantings. This disease may occur in the field under humid conditions, but it occurs at more damaging levels in greenhouses or…
Posted in Vegetables
Vegetable Diseases to Scout for: Center Rot of Onion
Onion growers in Kentucky should have their eye out for bacterial rots of onion this week, particularly center rot of onion. Bacterial rots are common diseases of onions in Kentucky, and homeowners or growers not actively using preventative practices will…
Posted in Vegetables
Mexican Bean Beetle in Gardens and Fields
Mexican bean beetle is an example of an insect pest that is often noticed only after considerable damage has been done. This is because it remains hidden on the undersides of leaves and feeds only on lower layers of leaves. …
Posted in Grains, Vegetables
Congrats, It’s a Baby Bagworm!
Bagworm season is upon us in Kentucky. Depending on where you live, the hatching could have occurred anywhere from just in the last few days to a couple of weeks ago. If you want to monitor for their emergence next…
Posted in Landscape Trees & Shrubs
Kentucky Pest News 